Indian smartphone market saw a healthy 14% annual growth with a total shipment of 124 million units in 2017 where China-based vendors recorded a collective market share of 53% in 2017 as compared to 34% in the previous year, according to IDC’s report.

In smartphones, Lenovo, Vivo and Oppo took the No 3,4 and 5 positions with 9%, 6% and 6% shares, respectively. In featurephones, Micromax, Itel and Lava were at No 3,4 and 5 ranks with 9%, 8% and 6%, respectively.

It is always difficult for mid-sized smartphone makers to survive in the long run when fierce competition sets in amid fast-changing consumer needs and technologies -- especially in price-sensitive markets like India.

Huawei secured the leading position in the Chinese smartphone market during the fourth quarter of 2017, with eight per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth and registering 19 per cent (YoY) growth for the entire year, a report said on Wednesday.

The company is also in talks with Reliance Jio for tie-ups with some of its brands where as part of the tie-up the customers will get bundled voice-data and cashback. It will be announcing a telco partner soon for its TECNO brand.

Honor 9i (Rs 17,999) was the first smartphone with a four-camera system that arrived in India last year. To tap into the mid-price segment with the same USP, Huawei's sub-brand Honor has launched Honor 9 Lite, starting at Rs 10,999.

In the last few weeks, there hasn't been a single major launch that does not have the word selfie or selfie camera attached in the communication to consumers. Oppo, camera smartphone with dual front cameras for group and individual selfies. Gionee, with a front flash and camera, showcased by Alia Bhatt. Tecno, yet again with front camera, flash and ambient flash from the screen. And yesterday, Vivo with a massive 20 MP front camera in the V5s. To me, this shows two fundamental trends. One, Read more..

Several people ET spoke with about Ericsson’s India operations, including its current and former employees, said the Stockholm-based firm has reduced headcount in the last one year or so across functions, in line with its global restructuring.